MARTA GM/CEO Named One of Georgia Trend’s Most Influential

MARTA GM/CEO
Keith T. Parker, AICP has received Georgia
Trend’s distinction as one of its most influential and powerful leaders in Georgia
for 2017. Each year, the
magazine recognizes Georgians, both Public and Private professionals, making an
indelible impact on all of Georgia.

A native of Petersburg,
Va., Parker
has led the nation’s ninth largest transit agency since 2012. Parker’s
uncompromising vision has changed the perception of MARTA and elevated its role
as major regional stakeholder in the minds of key decision makers. He also
helmed transit agencies in San Antonio, Texas and Charlotte, N.C. During his tenure, these
agencies enjoyed increased ridership
and won numerous local, state, and national awards in key areas such as safety,
maintenance, environmental innovations and overall excellence.

“I am deeply honored to
receive this recognition from Georgia Trend for what is truly
a collaborative effort at MARTA," MARTA
GM/CEO Keith T. Parker said. "The unwavering support of the MARTA
Board of Directors and hard work of MARTA staff—has been at the core of MARTA’s
expanded growth and our success in helping to transform the region.”

Parker’s most recent accomplishments at MARTA include passage
of the half-cent sales tax referendum in the City of Atlanta that will generate
approximately $2.5 billion (in 2016) dollars over the next 40 years; breaking
ground on two Transit Oriented Developments—at the Edgewood/Candler Park and
Avondale stations; purchasing new buses that will make MARTA’s one of the
newest fleets in the nation; and receiving bond ratings upgrades from Wall
Street.

In addition to
MARTA’s triumphs, Parker recently announced plans for the More MARTA LINK Southwest, a proposed transit project
that will provide enhanced connectivity for residents in southwest Atlanta to
Five Points Station, the Authority’s connecting point for all rail lines.

Actively engaged in civic and
charitable organizations, Parker is no stranger to professional achievement. He
received recognition as Outstanding Public Transportation Manager by the
American Public Transportation Association (APTA) in October 2015. His innate ability
to transform agency efficiencies, implement cost savings, and promote a culture
of innovation in diverse environments, led Parker to being named as one of the
20 Most Influential People of the Decade by Metro Magazine.

In November 2016, he was chosen as one of
eight “Public Officials of the Year” by Governing magazine. In December, Ashe and
the MARTA Board of Directors unanimously approved the extension of Parker’s contract
through 2021 in recognition of MARTA’s turnaround under his tenure.